---

Make Music Eugene Debuts June 21st!

Get ready for a vibrant celebration of music as the Eugene Symphony proudly launches the first annual Make Music Eugene on Saturday, June 21st. As part of the global Make Music Day, this free, city-wide event invites everyone – from seasoned musicians to curious newcomers – to participate in the joy of making music.

The Eugene Symphony is spearheading this initiative, acting as both the local organizer and the host of a special all-day event at the beautiful Owen Rose Garden (8 am - 8 pm). Expect to enjoy performances by Eugene Symphony chamber ensembles, a lively steel pan band from Seattle, and a variety of talented local artists.

Event will take place rain or shine. The public is encouraged to park at the main Owen Rose Garden parking lot. Additional parking is available at the Eugene 4J School District Education Center, located at 200 N Monroe St.

• Performance Schedule

  8:00 AM – “Violette” - Clarinet & Violin

  Alice Blankenship, violin*
  Michael Anderson, clarinet*

  A violin and clarinet duo featuring music by contemporary composers Paul Safar (Danza Domestica), Olivia Davis (Nordic Dreams), and Colin Pip Dixon (Duo for Violin and Clarinet). The performance will also include selections from Bach’s 15 Inventions, Canonic Duos by G.P. Telemann, and Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein “All the Things You Are”.
  
  9:00 AM - Emerald Violin Duo

  Sophie Therrell, violin*
  Alwyn Wright, violin*

  A violin duo featuring LeClair’sSonata for Two Violins in E minor and music by Telemann.
  
  10:00 AM - Harp Duo

  Jane Allen, harp*
  Laura Zaerr, harp

  A harp duo featuring selections of American popular music, Latin dances, European classical, and music from the British Isles.
  
  11:00 AM - Viola & Flute

  Anamaria Ghitea, viola*
  Floriana Ghitea-Chis, flute

  A viola and flute duo featuring Mondriana Villegas’s Monet and the Valley of Mexico, Hoffmeister’s Duo Concertante in G Major, Allen’s Moon River Duet, and Francois Devienne’s Duo for Flute and Viola.
  
  12:00 PM - Ducere String Quartet

  Sofie Yang, violin*
  Jingxuan Yang, violin
  Ben Kroeker, viola*
  Tomás Estigarribia, cello

  Featuring string quartets by Ravel and Barber, and Stephan Koncz’s A New Satiesfaction.
  
  1:00 PM - Fiddletête String Quartet

  Sarah Wilfong, violin*
  Ben Ehrmantraut, violin*
  Ben Kroeker, viola*
  Titus Young, cello*

  Featuring traditional Irish, Danish, and Swedish music for string quartet. 
  
  2:00 PM – Kwaziwai - Zimbabwean marimba music

  Kwaziwai plays traditional and contemporary Zimbabwean marimba music. Kwaziwai is part of the Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center, a Eugene-based non-profit dedicated to studying, teaching and sharing the music of Zimbabwe.  From Dumi Maraire classics to traditional mbira-style pieces to contemporary compositions.
  
  3:00 PM - The Grapefruits

  Margarite Waddell, horn*
  Coco Bender, piano

  A horn and piano duet featuring music by William Grant Still, H. Leslie Adams, Gabriel Faure, Schubert, Jean Françaix, Tara Islas, and the world premiere of Christina Rusnak’s Wide Open Spaces.
  
  5:00 PM - Sequana String Trio

  Sofie Yang, violin*
  Adam Fishburn, viola*
  Austin Bennet, cello

  Featuring music by Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, The Beatles, Ben E. King, David Bowie, The Talking Heads, Schubert, and more!
  
  6:00 PM – Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra  

  The "Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra" is the top high-school level youth steel orchestra of Steel Magic Northwest, a non-profit steel band organization in the Seattle area. The band is 33 players strong. This group impresses audiences not only with their sheer size and volume, but also with the complexity and finesse of their musical performances. Their repertoire includes many styles of music, including calypso, soca, classical, pop, afro-Cuban and Brazilian styles, television and movie theme songs, and just about any style you can imagine. 
  
  7:00 PM - Mariachi Cuervo

  Mariachi Cuervo was founded in 2023 in Eugene, OR. They are a mariachi group passionate about sharing this beautiful part of their culture with the community. 

   * Eugene Symphony member.

• Workshop & Tour Schedule

  9:00 AM-11:00 AM – Make Your Own Egg Shakers
  Get ready to shake, rattle, and roll! Join us at the Owen Rose Garden for a morning of musical fun and transform plastic eggs into your very own percussion instruments. All materials are provided and no musical experience is required.
  
  10:00 AM – Owen Rose Garden Tour
  Led by the Eugene Heritage Rose Group's docents, come explore the southwest part of the garden, with a focus on the Old Garden Roses (the roses that our grandparents were familiar with.) The tour will trace the evolution of the rose from wild occuring species roses up to the early 20th Century. Learn about the fascinating history of rose breeding and meet the ancestors of modern roses. Paths are level and hats are recommended (as there will be considerable time spent in the sun). It promises to be a delightful time -  with music among the roses!" Tour begins at the pergola garden entrance.
  
  11:00 AM – Flower Pot Music Workshop
  Make music with an instrument you never expected... a flower pot! Come be a part of a joyful outdoor performance of Flowerpot Music, a whimsical and beautiful piece by renowned composer Elliot Cole, led by Eugene percussionist, Nathan Juarez. You’ll learn easy rhythmic games and join others in creating a magical soundscape, perfect for families, music lovers, and curious minds of all ages. This hands-on workshop is open to everyone; just show up at 11:00am to participate! No musical experience is required.  

  What to bring:
  - A flowerpot, ceramic mug, or bowl
  - A yarn mallet or wooden kitchen spoon
  
  1:00 PM-3:00 PM – Eugene Symphony’s Instrument Petting Zoo
  Eugene Symphony's family-friendly Instrument Petting Zoos are a hands-on opportunity to try a variety of orchestral instruments. Kids are invited to come learn how to hold and make a sound on the violin, cello, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and a collection of percussion instruments. No musical experience is required.
  
  4:00 PM-5:00 PM - Bucket Beats!
  Using just plastic buckets and drumsticks (provided on-site!), you’ll discover the joy of drumming in a fun and welcoming environment. Led by Eugene percussionist Nathan Juarez, join us for a high-energy, hands-on bucket drumming workshop perfect for all ages and abilities.

  In this workshop, you'll learn:
  - How to hold drumsticks and play with confidence
  - Different sounds you can make on a bucket
  - Easy-to-learn grooves you’ll build together
  - Creative improvisation (both solo and group)
  - A final jam session performance to share what you’ve created!
  
  5:30 PM-7:30 PM – Adventure! Children's Museum Makes:
  Electric Rubber Band Guitars!
  Use scrap wood, recycled cardboard, hardware, and rubber bands to create your own rubber band guitar. Use our pickups and mini amps to amplify the twangy sounds of the rubber bands. Voila! Electric Rubber Band Guitars!

The Owen Rose Garden will also feature a community music workshop area, an engaging "Instrument Petting Zoo" for all ages to try out instruments with guidance from musicians, and delicious food from Delicias Tiki Tiki, and beer from Arable Brewing Company available for purchase.

This new event builds upon the cherished tradition of community music in outdoor spaces, echoing the spirit of the Eugene Symphony Guild's former "Music in the Garden."

Want to be a part of the music? Musicians of all levels and ages are invited to sign up to perform at eugene.makemusicday.org. Businesses and organizations can also contribute by offering their outdoor spaces as concert venues through the same website.